Page 29 of The Rule Breaker (Colton U Playbook #1)

“I did. I do. I just—fuck.” I blow out a breath, dragging a hand down my face. “I just didn’t expect you to show up looking like that.”

Her eyes flicker with amusement as she glances down at her own chest, like she’s just now noticing how the thin straps of her tank top barely hold her in. “What?” she asks innocently, batting her lashes. “Am I distracting you?”

I groan, letting my head fall back against the pillow. “You know exactly what you’re doing to me.” My fingers curl around my phone, grip tightening. “Fuck, I wish you were here. In my bed. With me.”

Her laugh softens, and her lips pull into a smile that makes everything in my chest tighten.

“So,” she says, tracing her fingers over her blanket, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip, “you wanna see me again?”

I sit up straighter, arching a brow. “Thought that was obvious.”

She shrugs, like she’s trying to play it cool, but there’s a flicker of something in her eyes. “Last time you said it was a one-time thing and?—”

“That was before .” I cut her off. “Before I got to fucking taste you and then had to see you every day knowing I couldn’t touch you again. Before last night.”

Her breath catches, but she doesn’t say anything. Just watches me.

I lean closer to the screen. “We’re not done, Curls.”

Her breath hitches. “No?”

I shake my head. “Not even close.”

Her smile grows, slower this time.

I smirk, my eyes scanning her gorgeous face through the screen. “I can’t stop thinking about you. It’s a problem.”

Something shifts in her expression. A flicker of heat in her gorgeous eyes. “What are you thinking about?” she asks, voice low, teasing… curious.

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. “Thinking about how the hell you managed to turn my entire world upside down in one night.”

She lets out a breath, arching a brow at me. “Not sure if I should be flattered… or worried you’re about to ghost me.”

I shake my head, firm. “I’m not going anywhere.

” Then I pause, because I owe her honesty.

“But I meant what I said last night. I’m not looking for anything serious.

Hockey’s kind of my whole life right now, and I suck at juggling shit.

I don’t want to mess this up by pretending I’ve got it figured out. ”

She nods, not looking the least bit surprised. “I get it. You don’t owe me anything. I’m not looking for anything crazy serious. I just want to… spend time with you. That’s all.”

I smile before I can stop myself. “Spending time with you sounds pretty damn good.”

She smiles, tilting her head. “How’s your body feeling?”

My lips twitch. “You mean after last night or after the game?”

She rolls her eyes, but her smile slips through anyway. “The game, idiot. You got rocked into the boards, Ryan. That kind of hit doesn’t just disappear.”

I shrug, leaning back into the headboard. “I’m fine.”

She gives me a look. “Liar.”

I sigh. “Alright, maybe I’m a little sore. But I’ll survive.” I shift, adjusting against the headboard. “Talked to my brother about it.”

Her brows lift slightly. “Yeah?”

I nod. “I was just… so fucked up about what happened and—” I blow out a breath, fingers tightening around my phone. “I feel like I’m always trying to catch up with him, and the more I do, the more life throws me a fucking curveball and puts me ten places behind.”

She’s quiet for a second, then lets out a soft sigh. “Yeah. I know exactly what that feels like.”

Her gaze drops to her hands, her thumbs brushing over the hem of her sleeve.

“I love Nathan,” she says, lifting her eyes.

“But sometimes… being his sister makes it harder to be taken seriously.” She swallows, fingers still tugging at the fabric.

“I’ve worked my ass off to get here, but it doesn’t matter how hard I work.

People look at my last name and assume I only made the cut because I have the right connections. ”

I frown. “Has anyone said that to you?”

She shakes her head, but there’s a tension in the way she chews on her bottom lip. “No, I just… feel it. The stares. The looks of confusion. It’s like I’m constantly trying to prove that I belong.”

I lean forward a little, my brows tugging together. “You do belong.”

She blinks, looking at me.

“I’ve seen you at practice, Bels. You’ve helped out the team a lot more than any of us have ever managed to do.” I shrug, my voice rougher than I expected. “Fuck what they think. They’re just pissed because you’re better than them and they can’t use their last name to justify being average.”

Her lips tug into a small smile. “You’re kind of hot when you go all motivational speech on me.”

I chuckle. “Baby, I’m always hot,” I tease, watching her roll her eyes. But her smile fades a little, her gaze shifting.

She sighs, looking down at her hands. “I just wish people saw me. Not just Nathan’s little sister.”

Her words hit harder than I expect. I want to tell her that I see her.

I see her all the fucking time, even when I close my eyes, she’s the only one I see.

Whenever she’s around me, it’s like the whole damn world fades away, including her brother.

I don’t think about Nathan when I see her.

I don’t think about any of the noise. I only see her.

But the words get stuck in my throat. Instead, I sigh, the truth spilling out before I can stop it.

“Yeah. Same here.” I rake a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the tightness in my chest. “People already compare me to my brother every chance they get, and I just know it’s gonna get ten times worse when I join the NHL.” I scoff. “If I even make it, that is.”

Her eyes snap to mine, narrowing in disbelief. “Are you serious right now?” She shakes her head like I’m crazy. “Ryan, you’re amazing. I have zero doubt you’ll make it into the NHL. And no one’s gonna compare you to your brother.”

I let out a bitter scoff. “You dream big.”

Her face softens, and for a second, I’m frozen. Her eyes—those dark, beautiful eyes—are locking onto mine with an intensity that has me second-guessing every thought in my head. All I want is to reach through the screen and kiss her.

“I’m serious,” she says, her voice steady. It’s that certainty that hits me hardest. “You’re not just Connor Reed’s little brother. You’re you . You’ll make your own name. You just have to believe that.”

“You really think that?” I ask her.

“Yeah, I do,” she replies with a nod. No hesitation. Just confidence. Like it’s the easiest thing in the world.

I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. “I could listen to you talk about me all day.”

She rolls her eyes, but the smirk that’s tugging at her lips tells a different story. “You’re such an idiot.”

I hum, stretching my arms over my head, grinning. “You weren’t calling me an idiot last night,” I tease, feeling way too smug about it.

Her cheeks go pink, and I can’t help but grin even wider. “I love talking to you,” I tell her, feeling my chest crack open at the sight of her.

She exhales softly, her smile lighting up the screen. It’s so goddamn pretty, I almost forget how to breathe. “Me too.”

God, I miss her. Is it possible to miss someone this much? Because I do. I don’t care what we do—I just want her here. Beside me. Kissing me. Touching me. Talking to me.

Just here.

She stretches her arms above her head, her tank top riding up slightly, revealing a sliver of smooth skin. And fuck, it doesn’t help. I’m already craving her, and now all I can do is stare like an idiot and imagine what it’d be like if she were in my bed instead of on my screen.

“I swear, if I have to write one more paper on sports analytics, my brain is going to shut down.”

I chuckle, leaning back against my pillows, trying to act casual while every part of me wants to reach through the screen and pull her into me. “Didn’t you choose to be a sports major?”

She groans, rolling onto her stomach and burying her face in the pillow. “Don’t remind me. I have a paper due tomorrow, and I should be working on it instead of talking to you.”

I hate how much I don’t like that answer. I’m not the kind of guy who sits on calls. I don’t do long convos or late-night talking—never have. Usually, I’m counting down the seconds until I can hang up.

But with her? I don’t want this to end. I don’t want the screen to go dark.

I shouldn’t feel this way. I don’t get attached. I don’t get needy.

But then again, no one’s ever been Isabella.

“Lay it on me,” I say, nodding toward the screen. “Tell me what you need help with, baby.”

Her lips curve into the prettiest, softest smile. “Won’t you get bored?”

I let out a scoff. “You could read the dictionary out loud and I’d still be hanging onto every word.”

She chuckles, cheeks pink, and I don’t even think she realizes she’s blushing. “You’re such a sap.”

I shoot her a lazy grin. “And you’d rather talk to me.”

“Not even close.”

I laugh, scrubbing a hand through my hair. “Don’t lie to me. Just admit it. I’m way more interesting than your assignment.”

She sighs, fighting a smirk as she swings an arm over her face. “Fine. Maybe.”

“There it is.” I lean back, hands laced behind my head. “That’s all I needed to hear, gorgeous.”

She peeks at me from under her arm, a small smile tugging at her lips. Then something shifts in her expression. Her smile drops and she lets out a low sigh, shaking her head.

“I just… I want to walk into a room and have people know I earned my place there.”

“You will,” I say, with no hesitation. “I don’t have an ounce of doubt in you.”

Her gaze flicks to mine, a little uncertain. “You really think so?”

Of course you can, Bels. You’re basically a pro already. Smart, confident, and you handle cocky athletes like it’s nothing, even the giant pain-in-the-ass kind.”

She lets out a chuckle. “Like you?”

I smirk, shooting her a wink. “Exactly like me.”

She goes quiet for a beat, then says, soft and a little shy, “Thank you.”

I exhale, head tipping back against the wall, a grin tugging at my lips. “Anytime, baby.”

Her cheeks flush, and she tries to hide it with a sigh. “Okay, seriously. I need to go.”

“Tragic,” I say, dramatically clutching my chest. “Abandoning me in my time of need.”

She rolls her eyes, but her smile stays. “Later, Reed.”

“Later, Curls,” I say, just before the screen goes dark.

I drop my phone onto the mattress and stare up at the ceiling for a second, trying to remember what the hell I was supposed to be doing before she called.

Food. Shower. Pretend to be productive.

But all I can think about is how I already want to see her again.

I don’t even realize I’m grinning like an idiot until my cheeks start to ache. I rub a hand down my face, then roll out of bed and head for the shower.

I was so damn hesitant about starting something with her when I knew she was a relationship girl through and through.

But we’re on the same page.

We’re having fun.

A friends-with-benefits arrangement with the hottest girl I know?

Yeah. I’d be an idiot not to enjoy every second of it.